The bones of the upper and lower limbs are attached to the trunk by the
shoulder and pelvic girdles respectively.
The pelvic girdle consists of the two large and irregularly shaped hip bones (each of which develops in three parts - ilium, ischium and pubis).
The hip bones articulate with each other in front at the pubic symphysis, so that the girdle is complete anteriorly. Posteriorly the two hip bones do not meet, but the deficiency in the girdle is made up by the sacrum.
The pelvic girdle is massive and rigid. This weight bearing capacity
is essential for a bipedal stance.